Apple board members receive restricted stock grants worth more than $253K
Each member of Apple's board of directors recently received an automatic grant of restricted stock units currently worth more than $253,000, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings show.
Meted out on Tuesday as part of Apple's 1997 Director Stock Plan, Arthur D. Levinson, James Bell, Al Gore, Rogert Iger, Andrea Jung, Ronald Sugar and Susan Wagner all received 1,852 restricted stock units worth just over $253,600 at the close of trading on Thursday. Assuming continued service, the board members will see the RSU batch vest on Feb. 1, 2018.
As usual, CEO Tim Cook, who is also a member of Apple's board, did not receive director incentives pursuant to his own compensation plan.
The automatic stock grant was accomplished on the same day as Apple's recent shareholder meeting in Cupertino, Calif., where Cook discussed the company's financial health in a "state of the company" report. Aside from touting the success of currently available products like iPhone, iPad and AirPods, Cook fielded questions and concerns from shareholders present at the meeting, including the company's recent involvement in the political sphere.
Apple shareholders also voted on a number of proposals, ratifying a pair of advisory resolutions regarding executive compensation including one that allows future votes on the matter to take place every year.
A more controversial measure seeking to diversify Apple's senior management was shot down for the second year in a row. The proposal, which would force the company to recruit "people of color" to high-ranking positions, captured less than 6 percent of the total vote, meaning it and similar actions are not eligible for consideration for the next three years.
Meted out on Tuesday as part of Apple's 1997 Director Stock Plan, Arthur D. Levinson, James Bell, Al Gore, Rogert Iger, Andrea Jung, Ronald Sugar and Susan Wagner all received 1,852 restricted stock units worth just over $253,600 at the close of trading on Thursday. Assuming continued service, the board members will see the RSU batch vest on Feb. 1, 2018.
As usual, CEO Tim Cook, who is also a member of Apple's board, did not receive director incentives pursuant to his own compensation plan.
The automatic stock grant was accomplished on the same day as Apple's recent shareholder meeting in Cupertino, Calif., where Cook discussed the company's financial health in a "state of the company" report. Aside from touting the success of currently available products like iPhone, iPad and AirPods, Cook fielded questions and concerns from shareholders present at the meeting, including the company's recent involvement in the political sphere.
Apple shareholders also voted on a number of proposals, ratifying a pair of advisory resolutions regarding executive compensation including one that allows future votes on the matter to take place every year.
A more controversial measure seeking to diversify Apple's senior management was shot down for the second year in a row. The proposal, which would force the company to recruit "people of color" to high-ranking positions, captured less than 6 percent of the total vote, meaning it and similar actions are not eligible for consideration for the next three years.
Comments
Each non-employee director (i.e. all of the directors other than Mr. Cook, because he's the CEO) is awarded $250,000 worth of RSUs on the date of Apple's annual meeting. They actually got fewer shares this year because the stock price was higher. Then again, the shares they were awarded last year were worth more when they vested (on February 1st) due to a higher stock price.
The total annual compensation for non-employee directors (other than the Chairman of the Board) is between $350,000 and $400,000, depending on which committees they chair. The Chairman of the Board's total annual compensation is around $550,000.
I think they have to meet quarterly and maybe even have monthly conference calls. As they say, it's a good gig if you can get it.
Shareholders elect the Board of Directors who in turn are responsible for making sure the right management team is in place to increase shareholder value.
If you don't like the people sitting in the executive suite, blame the people who elected that person(s) to that position(s). And not just Apple Inc. That goes for other offices as well.